Swivel joint for hydraulic dredge pipe lines



Nov. 17, 1964 P. H. STURM SWIVEL JOINT FOR HYDRAULIC DREDGE PIPE LINES Filed Aug. 28, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTQR PATRICK HENRY STURM ATTORNEYS' P. H. s'ruRM 3,157,414

SWIVEL 4JOINT FOR HYDRAULIC DREDGE PIPE LINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A Nov. 17, 1964 Filed Aug. 28, 1961 F 1Gb 5 26 55 28 m um ZBO V- 0L i I' A, 27

"27 35 as 57 37 55 n P-Lamm J up' l l lil-j LL" "4" 40 INVENTOR ATRICK HENKYSTURM BY ATTORNEYS Nov. 17, 1964 P. H.'sTURM 3,157,414

swIvEL JOINT EoR HYDRAULIC DREDGE PIPE LINES Filed Aug. 2e. 1961 4 sheets-sheet s \5l/ PATRICK HENRY STURM ATTORNEYS' Nov. 17, 1964 P. H. sTURM 3,157,414

swIvEL JOINT FOR HYDRAULIC DREDGE PIPE LINES Filed Aug. 28, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 7.

INVENTOR ATRICK HENRY STURM ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,157,414 SWIVEL EOINT FR HYDRAULC DREDGE PIPE LEJES Patrick Henry Sturm, Riviera Beach, Fla., assigner to Trans-State Dredging Company, Fort Pierce, Fia., a

corporation of Fionda Filed Aug, 28, 1961, Ser. No. 134,188 S Claims. (Ci. 285-61) The present invention relates to tiexible pipe joints, and more particularly to swivel joints for use in connecting relatively large pipes such as are employed in hydraulic dredging operations. f

While my invention may be applied to either the suction pipe or the discharge pipe of a hydraulic dredge, it is especially intended for use in connecting floating discharge pipe lines to the dredge so as to permit free swinging movements of `the dredge without imparting movement to the floating discharge line and without imposing heavy strains on the latter.

My improved swivel joint also allows relative movement of the dredge and the ioating discharge pipe line when operating in unsheltered areas under rough water conditions, or when otherwise subjected to wave actions as attributed to passing ships or to other causes.

in the operation of hydraulic dredges, a spud is usually dropped at the stern of the dredge and is sunk into the bottom so as to serve as a pivot about which the dredge swings during the dredging operations. The frequency of these swings may vary anywhere from one swing per hour to one swing per minute, more or less, depending on the type of work and/or the conditions encountered. Accordingly, a sturdy and reliable exible joint is required for connecting the floating discharge pipe line to the discharge pipe on the dredge, said latter pipe usually extending from the pump, along the deck of the dredge to the stern where it is coupled in an appropriate manner to the oating discharge pipe line. Under some conditions, the oating discharge pipe line may be of considerable length, as needed to direct the spoils to the desired point of deposit, and in order to rapidly and ettectively carry out the dredging operations, the pressure developed in the discharge pipe line may be considerable, depending on the capacity and operating pressure of the dredge pump. Thus, the swivel joint used in connecting the dredge to the floating discharge pipe line preferably should be of a form which is capable of withstanding relatively high pressures Without leaking, and should be sturdy and reliable so as to avoid the necessity of frequent repair or other maintenance service or replacement, with consequent excessive and costly interruptions of dredging operations.

Perhaps the most common way of connecting the discharge pipe of the dredge to a floating discharge line is to join them together by a heavy rubber or other iiexible sleeve or hose, but such connections are not sufficiently flexible to avoid transmitting undesirable motion to the r'ioating pipe line, and if usable at all, such 'connections are usually confined to pipes of relatively from about 6 or 8 inches in diameter to 36 inches ormore, according to the capacity of the dredges that are in present day use. Such ball and socket joints, as Well as butt swivel joints embodying packing seals, have usually been conned to use with discharge pipes falling ice in the lowest portion of the size range referred to above, and under conditions where the operating pressure does not exceed about 50 pounds per square inch. Even then, they have a comparatively short life due to rapid wear and excessive leakage, andare subject to frequent and costly maintenance service, repairs and replacement.

The present invention has for its primary object to provide an improved swivel joint which is comparatively simple in construction, applicable to all sizes of discharge pipe lines, including those of the large sizes employed with large dredges and capable of withstanding relatively high pressures without leakage.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved swivel joint of the aforementioned type which is comparatively frictionless and which is so constructed as to minimize and substantially eliminate wear, erosion and corrosion, thus affording substantially trouble-free operation, with little or no attention or service being required after initial assembly and installation, except for an occasional lubrication which is simple and can be quickly achieved.

A still further object is to provide improved anti-friction means for swivel joints of the type referred to above, said anti-friction means being compact and sturdy in form, and serving to sustain the weight of the joint and thereby reduce to a minimum the force required to swing the joint about a vertical axis, and also serving to resist lateral thrusts on the joint resulting from the action of the swing drum cables in swinging the dredge, or resulting from current, wind and tide eifects.

My improved antikfriction means aforementioned preferably includes a ball bearing assembly arranged adjacent to one end of one part of the swivel joint to sustain the load of the joint, and additionally includes roller means arranged adjacent to the opposite end of the same joint part and in axially spaced relation to the ball bearing assembly aforesaid, to restrain the joint against any misalignment which would tend Ito cause the joint to bind or otherwise impose strains thereon which would make the joint hard to turn.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved swivel joint of the ball and socket type, and in which sealing means of self-sealing form or action is provided to preclude leakage of the joint, and which actually assures a more eiective sealing action, the greater the pressure thereon.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter described or will become apparent from the following description and the novel features thereof will be dened in the appended claims.

ln the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing my improved swivel joint as used for connecting a pontoon-supported discharge pipe line with a discharge pipe on a dredge, with the pontoons and the dredge being illustrated more or less diagrammatically and in fragmentary form;

FIG. 2 is a view in front elevation of the swivel joint as seen looking .astern from a position on the dredge;

FIG. 3 is a view of the swivel joint in top plan;

FIG. 4 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section, of the swivel joint as installed at the stern of the dredge;

FlG. 5 is -a bottom plan view of the swivel joint, and particularly illustrating the anti-friction rollers;

PEG. 6 is a perspective detail view of one of the tubular parts or components of the swivel joint, this component being enlarged or a-red outwardly at its upper end and providing a spherical `socket therein;

FlG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of my improved swivel joint assembly;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectionalview on an enlarged scale, as taken through the seal of the swivel jointand additionallyA showing in greater detail the 1u-` brication Vpassages and spaces for this part of the joint f assembly; and

j FG.l 9 is af vertical sectional View as taken' lthrough tlieball'bearing assembly. l j

` For purposes of illustration, 4my improved swivel joint has been shown in FIG. 1 as installed on a dredge to connect lthe discharge pipe of the dredge to a oatin'g, pontoon-supported discharge pipe line, only a fragmentary portion of the latter pipe line and only the stern portion of the dredge being illustrated in ymore of less diagrammatic forni. As seen in this view, the swivel joint'vassembly is generally designated 1, and the upper end thereof is connected to an elbow 2, which in turn is connected .to the after end of the discharge pipe 3 leading aft over the deck of the dredge d.A The forward .e Mend ofY the pipe 3 is suitably connected in the usual manner to the Voutlet of the dredge pump (not shown).

To support the discharge pipe 3 and thus relieve the weight thereof from the swivel joint 1, a suitable stand VA5 or other appropriate; support is preferably provided near the stern of the dredge, the bottom of the stand being -welded or otherwise anchored to the deck of the dredge, and the upper end of the stand' being secured to the Vpipe 3 by an appropriate clamping collar or Y sleeve 6.

The lower end of the swivel joint l isV connected to another velbow 7, which in turn is connected to the end of the oatingpipe yline 8 which is supported by suitable, `pont'oons generally designated 9. YThe discharge V.Square inch. My improved swivel joint has been successfully installed and operated under pressures Well in excess of 50 pounds per square inch, and isv capable of sustaining operating pressures as high as 180 pounds per square inch or more, and with appropriate pump capacity, can effectively and rapidly operate with discharge pipe lines as long as one mile or more,if necessary, without the need for overhaul or any maintenance except for occasional lubrication. Its reliability under conditions of prolonged and continued periods of service, Iwithout leakage, has been thoroughly demonstrated under practical operating conditions.

As better seen in other figures of the drawingsfmy improved swivel joint is essentially composed of two tubular elements or components, respectively designated 10 and'll. The upper component itl lhas a substantially spherical form `and is provided with a radially ex. tending ilange 12 suitably 'welded lthereto or otherwise forming Ia part thereof, said ange having bolt holes 13 provided therethrough at spaced intervals about the` same for rigidly and securely attaching the spherical member 10 to 'the lower ilanged end of the elbow 2 on vthe after end of the discharge pipe 3. The spherical Vend ofthe tubular member 1@ is vcoaxially aligned with the tubular member 11, the latter being enlarged or vflared upwardly `and outwardly at its upper end and resilient material, and is so formed and arranged as to produce a more or less self-sealing action when sub- 4. jected to pressure of the pumped fluid passing through the swivel joint 4and discharge pipe lines. As illustrated, it will be observed that the gasket is provided with `a radiallyV outwardly extended annular flange 16 which is seated in an annular lgroove lprovided in theinterior face of the upper end of the tubular member 11'Whicl1 terminates in a radially inwardly extended ilange 18' overlying the upper face of the gasket 15. The inner edge of the flange 1S is shaped to loosely tit the ball 14), 'and thus prevent binding against the latter during swinging movements of the joint. The gasket i5 is also .provided with an integral annular skirt 19 extending below the flange 16 and lying between the ball 1Q and the socket 14 which is spaced from the ball so Vas to permit the lluid being pumped through the Vswivel joint to exert pressure onl the skirt 19 ot the gasket and thus firmlyY press the skirt against the ball lil to .produce a more or less self-sealing action. Accordingly, the greater the pressure of the fluid within the swivel joint, the better the sealing action, which more effectively assures freedom from leakage around-the swivel joint.

Encirclingthe'ball member 1li is aretainer ring designated Ztl, said retainer 'ring snugly iitting against the ball 10 and being positioned immediately above the horizontal center of the bail 10 so as to prevent the ball from being displaced from the socket 14 after assemblyv of .the swivel joint. The retainer ring preferably seats onthe upper end of the tubular member 11, and its inner edge is provided with a downwardly extended annular ange Zlwhich extends below the extreme upper edge of the tubular .member 11, at the upper end of the lsocket i4, said flange 21 seating in a recess 22 for-med at the inner corner of the upper edge of the member V11. The ange 21 on the retainer ring 20 preferably terminates in slightly spaced relation to the upper face of the annular flange 18 on the tubular member 11, this spacing being on the order of about .010 Vinch so as to permit Vlubrication of the ball and socket components of the swivel joint, las permitted by a lubricantV littihg 23 of conventional type which is mounted exteriorly ol' the tubular member 11 near the upper end thereof and comv muncates with a lubricant Ypassage 24 which leads inwardly yto the .sp-ace between the anges 21 and 18.

In order to retain the retainerY ring 20 inV cooperativek retaining relation to the ball 10, the ring is providedrwith position by a cotter pin 31 or in any other suitable m-an- Y i' ner as will permit the latch bolts tofreely swing towards and away from the ears 25 of the retainer ring 2li. When swung to their vertical positions to seat each latch bolt in the notches 25' formed in the ears 25, Ya rectangular washer or pad 32 is applied onto the upper end of each latch bolt so as to overlie each ear 25, and a pair of nuts 33 are then preferably screwed on to the end of each Y latch boltV to firmly clamp the retainer ring in place. As.

an added safety precaution, cotter pins 34 may bewaddiltionally inserted through the upper ends of the latch bolts to prevent accidental displacement of the nuts 33. Y.

The frame or base 28 encircles the swivel joint and supports the brackets 27, as well as serves to mount the swivel joint on the dredge. As shown in the drawings,

the frame includes a cylindrical tube or pipe V35 which encircles the lower end of the tubular member 11 inoutwardly spaced relation thereto. Flat plates 36 and 37 are welded or otherwise suitably Vsecured to the upper and lower ends respectively of the tubular member 35 so as lto extend radiallyv outwardly therefrom, with one 'end of Coacting with these ears 25 is.

each plate abutting against and being welded to a vertical plate 38 to form a hanger or support by whichY the frame may be secured to the dredge. Welded to the forward face of the vertical plate 3S is a horizontally extended plate 39 which is adapted to seat against the deck of the dredge when the frame is mounted on the dredge as by welding the plates 3S and 39 to the stern of the dredge, in the case of a steel dredge, or otherwise anchoring these plates to the dredge in any suitable manner, according to the nature and construction of the dredge. Appropriate triangular brace plates or gussets 40 are preferably welded to the forward and after faces of the vertical plate 38, in spaced relation to each other, to assure rigidity of the mounting.

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 7, the brackets 27 Afor the pivotal bolts 26 are suitably welded to the cylindrical member 35 of the fabricated base assembly 23, as well as to the upper and lower plates 36 and 37 of this assembly, said brackets being arranged equidistantly from each other. Seated on the upper face of the upper plate 36, and disposed coaxially with the circular member 35 is a lower annular ball race member 41. This race member is suitably anchored to the plate 36 as by means of -a plurality of spaced cap 'screws or stud bolts 42. A similar upper ball race member 43 is provided and is secured by cap screws or stud bolts 44 to an annular flange 45 which is welded to the tubular member l1 -adjacent to the upper end thereof, said flange 45 being suitably reinforced or stiffened by a series of bracing plates 45 welded thereto and to the outer face of the member 11 at intervals thereabout. Balls 45 are interposed between the upper and lower race members 41 and 43, and the balls are preferably maintained in separated relation by a suitable separator ring 47.

In order to exclude dirt and other foreign matter from the ball bearing assembly just described, and to also aid in retaining lubricant in the ball bearing assembly, the assembly preferably includes outer and inner shields, respectively designated 48 and 49, of annular form, and which are suitably secured to the outer and inner edges of the race members 41 and 43 by screws 50 and 51.

Mounted in the flange 45 which is provided adjacent to the upper end of the tubular member 11, is a plurality of lubricant fittings 52 which communicate with appropriate lubricant passages 53 leading through the upper ball race member 43 so as to permit the ball bearing assembly to be easily and quickly lubricated. By virtue of this ball bearing assembly, the weight of the tubular member 11, as well as any load imposed thereon in a downward direction through the connection of this member with the floating discharge pipe line 8, is sustained by the bearing and borne directly by the stationary base or frame 28. The anti-friction action of the ball bearing assembly thus allows free pivotal swinging movements of the dredge relative to the floating discharge pipe line, with the ball and socket members of the swivel joint constituting a substantially frictionless joint.

To insure against misalignment of the tubular members and 11, respectively constituting the ball and socket components of the swivel joint, additional anti-friction means is preferably provided on the lower part of the base or frame 2S to coact with the annular coupling flange 54 which is provided at the extreme lower end of the tubular member 11 for connection with the corresponding flange on the upper end of the elbow 7 by which the swivel joint is connected to the floating discharge pipe line 8. These latter anti-friction means preferably have the form of a plurality of rollers 55, each roller being mounted for free rotation on a spindle or axle 56 suitably welded or otherwise xed to a bracket 57. Each bracket is preferably of generally rectangular form and provided with a pair of bolt holes formed therein adjacent the opposite ends thereof as indicated at 58 and 59, respectively. Anchor bolts 6i) may be employed to secure each bracket to the lower face of the bottom plate 37 of the fabricated base or frame assembly 28. At least one of the bolt holes in each roller mounting bracket 57, such as the hole 58, is elongated in a direction transversely of the bracket so as to allow limited radial adjustment of the rollers 55 relative to the flange 54 on the lower end of the tubular member 11, as may be needed to accurately align the components ofthe swivel joint. These rollers additionally serve to sustain lateral thrusts acting on the member 11 as the result of swinging movements imparted to the dredge by the winding drum cables, or otherwise by currents, wind and tide effects. Each roller assembly is preferably equipped with a lubricant fitting 61 so as to insure free rotation of the rollers on their axles or spindles at all times.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that my improved swivel joint is simple and sturdy in form, as well as substantially frictionless land reliable in operation, with little or no care or maintenance being necessary other than occasional lubrication of the parts equipped with convenient lubricating fittings. Leakage of the swivel joint is precluded by an eifective ilexible sealing gasket which assures effective sealing of the joint under all operating conditions, including those requiring relatively high pressures.

While the specific details have been herein shown and described, my invention is not confined thereto, as changes and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit thereof as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A swivel joint of the class described, comprising a pair of tubular members having cooperatively opposed ends disposed in coaxial alignment for relative rotation about a fixed axis, a stationary mounting frame encircling said joint, and anti-friction means interposed between said frame and one of the tubular members for allowing free rotary movements of said latter tubular member relative to the opposed tubular member, the cooperative ends of the tubular members being respectively of ball and socket form, said anti-friction means being disposed in the zone of the socketed end of one tubular member and serving to support the weight of the joint, and additional anti-friction means interposed between the frame and the latter tubular member in axially spaced relation to the first-mentioned anti-friction means for resisting lateral thrusts imposed on the latter tubular member and preventing misalignment thereof with respect to the opposed tubular member.

2. A swivel joint as defined in claim 1, wherein the anti-friction means includes a ball bearing assembly, said ball bearing assembly including an annular ball race member carried by and radially extended from one of the tubular members, a second annular ball race member carried by and radially extended from the mounting frame and disposed in opposed axially spaced relation to the rst mentioned race member, and a plurality of balls interposed between said race members.

3. A swivel joint as dened in claim 1, wherein the anti-friction means includes a ball bearing assembly, said ball bearing assembly including an annular ball race member carried by and radially extended from one of the tubular members, a second annular ball race member carried by and radially extended from the mounting frame and disposed in opposed axially spaced relation to the first mentioned race member, a plurality of balls interposed between said race members, and annular shield members secured to the race members and spanning the space therebetween and extending about the inner and outer peripheries respectively of the race members to enclose the balls.

4. A swivel joint as defined in claim l, wherein the anti-friction means includes a ball bearing assembly, said ball bearing assembly including an annular ball race member carried by and radially extended from one of the tubular members, a second annular ball race member carried by and radially extended from the mounting frame and disposed in opposed axially spaced relation l 7 to the iirst mentioned race member, a plurality of balls interposed between said race members, annular shield members secured to the race members and spanning the Y space therebetween and extending about the Vinner and outer peripheries respectively of the race members to enclose'the balls, and means for admitting and directing a lubricating medium into the ball'bearing assembly and about Athe balls.

5. A swivel joint as defined in claim l,V wherein said additional anti-friction means includes a plurality of rollers' carried by thernounting frame and disposed in equidistantly spaced relation to each other and engageable with one of the tubular members in a zone substantially spaced axially from the opposed tubular member for restraining said one tubular member against lateral movements relative to the other tubular member. v

6. A swivel joint as deined in claim V1, wherein said additional anti-friction means includes a plurality of rollers carried by the mounting frame and disposed in equidistantly spaced relation to each other and engageable with one of the tubular members in a zone substantially spaced axially from the opposed tubular member for restraining said one tubular member against lateral movements relative to the otherA tubular member, each of said rollers being rotatably mounted on a bracket, and each bracket being adjustably mounted on the frame in such manner as to permit radial adjustment of its roller toward and away from the central axisr of the Yswivel joint. 7^

7. A swivel joint'as dened inv claim l, wherein said additional anti-friction means includes a plurality of rollers carried by the mounting frame and disposed in 'equidistantly spaced relation to each other and engageable with fone of the tubular'-members in a zone substantially spaced axially from the opposed tubular member for restraining said one tubular member against lateral movements relative to the other tubular member, each of said rollers being rotatably mounted on a bracket, and each bracket being adjustably mounted on the frame in such manner-.as to permit radial adjustment of its roller toward and'away from the central axis of 'the swivel joint, and each of said brackets having means for directing a lubricating medium about the axis of its roller.

8.V A swivel joint of the class'described, comprising a f mounting frame encircling the socketed tubular member and supporting the latch means aforesaid and the socketed tubular member, said mounting frameV comprising a tubular shell spaced radially outwardly about the socketed tubular member aforesaid and disposed in coaxial relation therewith, platefmembers connected with andencircling the respective opposite ends of said shell and extended radially Voutwardly therefrom in spaced parallel Y relation'to each other and perpendicular to Vthe central axis of said shell, and means interconnected with the extended plate members at one edge thereof yfor anchoring the mounting frame to a iixed support, said lastrnentioned means including a joining plate member connected to the corresponding extended edges of the parallel plate members aforesaid and extended in one direction beyond the parallel plate members in spaced relation to the shell and socketed tubular memberY and parallel to the central axis of the latter, and another plate member secured to the joining plate member aforesaid and extended therefrom in perpendicular relation thereto and dening therewith an angular hanger.

References Cited in the tile of this patent Foley a Aug. 21, 1951 

1. A SWIVEL JOINT OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, COMPRISING A PAIR OF TUBULAR MEMBERS HAVING COOPERATIVELY OPPOSED ENDS DISPOSED IN COAXIAL ALIGNMENT FOR RELATIVE ROTATION ABOUT A FIXED AXIS, A STATIONARY MOUNTING FRAME ENCIRCLING SAID JOINT, AND ANTI-FRICTION MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID FRAME AND ONE OF THE TUBULAR MEMBERS FOR ALLOWING FREE ROTARY MOVEMENTS OF SAID LATTER TUBULAR MEMBER RELATIVE TO THE OPPOSED TUBULAR MEMBER, THE COOPERATIVE ENDS OF THE TUBULAR MEMBERS BEING RESPECTIVELY OF BALL AND SOCKET FORM, SAID ANTI-FRICTION MEANS BEING DISPOSED IN THE ZONE OF THE SOCKETED END OF ONE TUBULAR MEMBER AND SERVING TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE JOINT, AND ADDITIONAL ANTI-FRICTION MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE FRAME AND THE LATTER TUBULAR MEMBER IN AXIALLY SPACED RELATION TO THE FIRST-MENTIONED ANTI-FRICTION MEANS FOR RESISTING LATERAL THRUSTS IMPOSED ON THE LATTER TUBULAR MEMBER AND PREVENTING MISALIGNMENT THEREOF WITH RESPECT TO THE OPPOSED TUBULAR MEMBER. 